It is my honor to help us remember Kim Yong Sook, known to many of us as “halmuni”. Our halmuni was a remarkable woman whose life was exceptional not only because she lived to the age of 101, but also because of how she lived it.

Our halmuni was caring, intelligent, and determined, and had a unique spirit and sense of humor. She maintained these characteristics throughout her life. One of the wise words I remember from her is “Modeun gutz eun yeol shim hee hae yah deh.” She showed this to us by example.

Intelligence and inquisitive nature

· When she was a young girl growing up during the Japanese occupation of Korea, she showed such great aptitude for learning that her teacher suggested that she should go to Japan to continue her studies.

· While her family decided not to send her overseas, still, she did not let that stop her, and she learned to read and write Chinese characters, memorized Buddhist scriptures and poetry, and taught herself how to perform acupuncture and brew hanyak.

· For example, I recall as recently as December 2016, I was studying Chinese for my job. During a road trip to Palm Springs, she spotted my Chinese textbook that I had brought along, and asked for the book. At the age of 99, she was excited to examine and read the Chinese characters throughout the drive.

· She also loved to watch documentaries, especially shows about animals and nature.

· One of her favorite activities was gardening. We believe that her passion for gardening and sharing the fruits of her labors with others helped her live such a long life.

· My mother remembers once, that at the end of the day, she called for halmuni to come inside from the backyard where she had been working in the garden all day. Undeterred, as she continued her work outside, halmuni told my mother that “even if the world ends tomorrow, I would still plant an apple tree today” (which is a famous quote from the philosopher Espinoza).

· Indeed, we will always remember Halmuni’s perseverance. Halmuni always did all that she could, as long as she could.

Finally, we will forever be touched by her overflowing love.

· Halmuni constantly had her family in her heart and she was the reason that we have been lucky to share a close and supportive extended family.

· She would painstakingly write and rewrite thoughtful letters to relatives in Korea or cards to her children and grandchildren for their birthdays.

· She loved to spend time with her family. Despite her pain, she still gathered her strength to come and sit through long family meals or outings to a botanical garden. Even sometimes breaking out in song during the car ride, or with prayers of gratitude along the way, because she was so happy to be with her family.